28/06/2019 - THE LORD WANTS EXPRESSIONS OF LOVE

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Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. John12:3

The Master accepted the invitation of Lazarus’ family and went to their house in Bethany, on the Monday previous to Passover. There was the man he had brought back from the dead after four days.  Jesus knew that soon he would be delivered into the hands of the Romans and after being judged would be killed. After all, this is why He had come to the world. Christ would not refuse to redeem us, surrendering His own life. 

Seated at the table with Jesus, Lazarus was probably very happy.  If the Savior had not ordered the stone to be removed from the mouth of the tomb, and not commanded His friend to come forth, his body would have been completely decayed by now. This proves how wise and good it is to be a friend of the Lord, because if not the devil would have taken his life long before he should have died. Our Savior invites and accepts invitations. 

At that precious moment, Mary took a pound of pure ointment, very expensive, anointed the feet of the Lord and dried them with her hair. Soon the odor filled the house. Nobody understood why she had done this, but Jesus, after hearing Judas criticizing that gesture as wasteful, revealed the motive: it was for His burial. 

It is worthwhile to note the attitude of Judas Iscariot, who was one of the 12 that went everywhere with Jesus and would betray Him.  He showed concern with regard to the poor, because if they sold that perfumed ointment they would obtain good cash to distribute and help the needy. However, besides being rude he had another thing in mind: the money from the sale would be available for him to steal more, for he was a thief.

We must be watchful of individuals who show interest in something, but behind a just motive, they are trying to hide a devious purpose which will become known. This is what has happened to many who paid special attention and later this was used as an excuse to disguise the objective of having something to steal, which was Judas’ purpose. 

Why didn’t Jesus expel this disciple from His mission? Well, Christ knows more than us. But the right question is: why do some receive the wonderful gift of God but fall into sin and are lost forever? Judas, son of Simeon, chose to walk the trail of the devil and abandon the way of the Lord. Those who do the same will learn they made the worst decision.

Here is the main lesson from the key verse: we must render to the Lord and His mission the first place in our lives. Then all other things will be added unto us (Matthew 6:33). The poor will always be with us. When they are in need we should help them. 

In Christ, with Love,

R. R. Soares